Cleaning and Servicing a 96-Light Chandelier: A Case Study

This challenging job was divided into two parts. The first goal was to install a 450 kg chandelier lift, and following this installation, clean and restore the chandelier. The chandelier was about 30 years old, and with difficult access, requiring a tower to re-lamp and clean. Over the years a lot of dust had accumulated on the frame and the crystals, and a few of the sockets had burnt out.

The client's desire to install a lifter on this basis made a lot of sense. It is certainly a safer option than building a tower every time you need to clean or change the bulbs.

Once we had placed the chandelier lift in position, we lowered the chandelier to ground level, and built a temporary wooden structure that would take the weight of the lowered chandelier. The photo clearly shows the wooden structure we built.

With the wooden beams fully supporting the chandelier at floor level, we were finally able to place the lifter between the floorboards, in its final position. At last, we were able to start the process of cleaning and replacing the burnt out lamp holders.

Cleaning involves stripping the chandelier and cleaning each component. We usually use either warm water or methylated spirits for stubborn stains. Lint-free cotton gloves help a lot too. In our experience, shop-bought spray products that promise to lift the dirt off on their own do not work. We have tried these products and have always been disappointed with the results. The photo shows the before and after look on one of the 96 bobeches.

Finally, the chandelier was clean and sparkling, and all that was left to do was to reconnect the chain to the lifter cable, and lift the chandelier back into position.

If you have a large or ageing chandelier that needs cleaning, restoring or fitting with a lift of its own, get in touch with Mallory Custom Lighting to talk through what's involved.